as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleuths
Groups of amateur sleuths also cropped up in the hollows of tragedy to wrestle with the case and analyze rumors swarming the Horman family in online forums, echoing a familiar pattern of behavior on the internet in the face of long-unsolved criminal cases.
—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
22 June 2026
Already, internet sleuths are uncovering the exact items worn by the characters, and there’s a fan base quickly building for the beauty looks as well.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Season 5, which saw our sleuths unraveling the mystery of doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), was the show's most star-studded yet, with appearances by Renée Zellweger, Richard Kind, and Dianne Wiest, among others.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
The Pentagon in May made public large swaths of UFO files with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations.
—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Unsurprisingly, online sleuths had some thoughts.
—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
1 June 2026
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
22 June 2026
Already, internet sleuths are uncovering the exact items worn by the characters, and there’s a fan base quickly building for the beauty looks as well.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Season 5, which saw our sleuths unraveling the mystery of doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), was the show's most star-studded yet, with appearances by Renée Zellweger, Richard Kind, and Dianne Wiest, among others.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
The Pentagon in May made public large swaths of UFO files with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations.
—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Unsurprisingly, online sleuths had some thoughts.
—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuths
Noun
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Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and homicide detectives are investigating.
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On June 12, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Pollock on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.
Noun
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On May 1, investigators served a search warrant and seized evidence.
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Anyone with more information regarding the incident was asked to contact the SBSD Homicide Detail investigators at 909-890-4904.
Cite this Entry
“Sleuths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuths. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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